Chelsea v Newcastle @ Stamford Bridge
Saturday February 13 @ 17.30
Diego Costa may miss Chelsea’s home game against Newcastle United after a training incident left him with a broken nose.
The Spanish international injured himself in an aerial challenge with an academy player, but should return to light training fitted with a mask soon.
Manager Guus Hiddink hopes Costa will be fine to play as he has no other strikers available, with Alexandre Pato unfit and Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao injured.
“We are a team of a lot of masks – we’re a Zorro team. Azpi [Cesar Azpilicueta], Matic and now Costa,” he said.
“He will come back in the hotel later. It was just a very small incident, it was nothing. I think he will be available, I hope, I’m not sure, but I think he will be available.”
Chelsea will also be without centre back Kurt Zouma, who has been ruled out for six months with the knee injury he suffered against Manchester United on Sunday.
The 1-1 result was Hiddink’s sixth draw in eight Premier League games since he replaced Jose Mourinho in December, and he is desperate for his side to win more games.
He said: “The status of being unbeaten sounds good but realistically we would have wished to have more victories, especially at home.
“And we have an opportunity to do so against Newcastle. They improved their squad with substance, some good signings, and they are more competitive now.”
The Magpies will be able to recall midfielder Jack Colback and striker Emmanuel Riviere after hamstring injuries, as they continue their fight to avoid relegation.
They last won at Stamford Bridge in 2012 but they have lost 15 of their last 18 league away games.
Victory for Chelsea could see them climb into the top half, something they would have demanded when the season kicked off in August.
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